Pneumatically timed control unit for a gas operated projectile launching device

ABSTRACT

A pneumatically timed control unit controls a gas operated projectile launching device. At rest, the control unit feeds pneumatic gas from a compressed gas supply to the launching device&#39;s loading, launching components and/or mechanisms, and/or gas storage chamber(s). Once the valve is partially activated, the control unit uses pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device to urge the valve to a fully activated position to start the launching and/or loading sequences of the launching device and to pneumatically hold the valve(s) within the control unit in the activated position. The control unit waits for pneumatic feedback and/or absence of feedback/exhausting pneumatic pressure from either the launching device&#39;s loading and/or launching components and/or mechanism, or from a gas storage chamber and/or a venting relief-type valve to release the pneumatic hold on the valve. This allows the valve to be shifted to the “at rest” position, ready for the next activation sequence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to projectile launching devices and, moreparticularly, to a pneumatically timed control unit for a gas operatedprojected launching device.

Currently, controlling the fire sequence of a gas operated projectilelaunching device falls under two basic categories. First is the need forhighly complex electro-pneumatic flow distribution devices consisting ofelectronic solenoids and or circuit boards, and second is a mesh ofmechanical pneumatic firing systems, like for instance the use ofpistons, hammers, springs, and sears.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system for controllingand operating a gas operated projectile launching device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a pneumatically timed controlunit assembly for a gas operated projectile launching device comprises avalve urged in an at rest position; and a gas storage device operable toreceive pneumatic pressure through the control unit in the at restposition from a compressed gas supply, wherein when the valve is movedto a partially activated position, pneumatic pressure from the gasstorage device urges the valve to a fully activated position, wherein aGas Operated projectile launching device receives gas pressure from thegas storage device and or compressed gas supply to activate it's firingsequence. Then the pneumatically timed control unit waits for pneumaticfeedback and or absence of feedback/exhaust from either the Gas OperatedProjectile launching Device's loading and or launching components and ormechanisms, and or Gas storage device and or a venting relief type valveto release the pneumatic hold on the pneumatically timed control unitsvalve, which allows the valve to be shifted to the “at Rest” positionready for the next activation sequence.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for launching aprojectile from a projectile launching device comprises receiving acompressed gas supply to a valve; delivering the compressed gas supplyto at least one of a compressed gas storage device and or a firingchamber of a launching device when the valve is in an at rest position;activating an activation mechanism, the activation mechanism operable toactivate a valve in a control unit; urging the valve into an activatedposition as the activation mechanism is activated to actuate the valveby delivering gas pressure from at least one of the compressed gasstorage device and the firing chamber of the launching device; anddelivering gas pressure and or exhaust to the launching device.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control method for a gas operatedprojectile launching device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method fora gas operated projectile launching device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method fora gas operated projectile launching device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method fora gas operated projectile launching device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method fora gas operated projectile launching device;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatically timed control unit,at rest and the pneumatic hold is released, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unitof FIG. 6, with its valve partially activated and the pneumatic hold isinitiated;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unitof FIG. 6 with its valve in a fully activated position;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatically timed control unit,at rest and the pneumatic hold is released, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed controlunit of FIG. 9, with its valve partially activated and the pneumatichold is initiated;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed controlunit of FIG. 9 with its valve in a fully activated position;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatically timed control unit,at rest and the pneumatic hold is released, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed controlunit of FIG. 12, with its valve partially activated and the pneumatichold is initiated; and

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed controlunit of FIG. 12 with its valve in a fully activated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pneumaticallytimed control unit (also referred to as the control unit) for a gasoperated projectile launching device (also referred to as the launchingdevice). At rest (FIGS. 6, 9 and 12), the control unit feeds pneumaticgas from a compressed gas supply to the launching device's loadingand/or launching components and/or mechanisms and/or gas storagechamber(s). Once the valve is partially activated (FIGS. 7, 10 and 13),the control unit uses pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device tourge the valve to a fully activated position to start the launchingand/or loading sequences of the launching device and the pneumaticallyhold the valve(s) within the control unit in the activated position.Then, the control unit waits for pneumatic feedback and/or absence ofpneumatic feedback from either the launching device's loading and/orlaunching components and/or mechanism, or from a gas storage chamberand/or a venting relief-type valve to release the pneumatic hold on thecontrol unit's valve (FIGS. 8, 11 and 14). This allows the valve to beshifted to the “at rest” position, ready for the next activationsequence.

The control unit for launching devices may be configured to retrofitinto an existing launching device or can be configured as an integralcontrol unit of a launching device's assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a user may activate atrigger/actuator 04 to activate a valve in a control unit 06/08.Alternatively, a secondary ram, controlled by a pneumatic pulsegenerating valve and/or shuttle valve 16 may activate the valve in thecontrol unit 06/08. The valve may receive a compressed gas supply 18.The control unit 06/08 can include valves 06 and a housing 08.

In the “at rest” position (FIGS. 6, 9 and 12), gas from the compressedgas supply 18 may be delivered to, for example, a gas storage device 14and/or a firing chamber of a launching device 02. A metering valve 20may be optionally present to meter the gas flow to and/or from the gasstorage device 14. As the valve is actuated, gas pressure from the gasstorage device 14 and/or firing chamber may urge the valve to anactivated position. A pneumatic linkage device and/or integrated portingand/or hoses 12 may deliver gas pressure to and or from the launchingdevice 02. This gas pressure may be delivered through an optionalpneumatic solenoid 10.

Valve(s) 06 may comprise sealing member(s) to direct gas into inlets andor outlets within the valve body and/or housing 08 which may alsocomprise sealing members. The valve 06 may include opposing pneumaticforces, whether by area differences and or pressure differences appliedto the valve 06, directly and/or indirectly from the compressed gassupply 18 and/or pneumatic feedback and/or absence offeedback/exhausting from the launching device 02 for shifting the “atrest” and/or “activated” position(s) of the valve 06 within the valvehousing 08. The valve 06 may also include the use of springs forresetting the “at rest” and/or “activated” position(s) of the valve 06within the valve housing 08.

Once the control unit has been activated, and the launching device hasbeen fired, the valve 06 may detect the reduction in pressure in, forexample, the gas storage chamber, and allow the valve to release it'spneumatic hold on the valve and to reset to the “at rest” position. Ifthe launching device does not fire after the valve 06 has beenactivated, gas may be vented from the control unit, optionally through aflow restricted exhaust and/or metering valve 20, releasing itspneumatic hold on the valve 06 and allowing the valve to reset to the“at rest” position ready for the next activation sequence.

The control unit 06/08 can, directly or indirectly control the operationof the launching device 02 by having a valve or plurality of valves 06with pneumatic input port(s) to the valve housing 08 that may receivecompressed gas from a compressed gas supply 18 and an output port(s)pneumatically linked 12 to a pneumatic component(s) and or mechanism(s)to initiate the loading and or launching operation of the launchingdevice 02.

For instance, the control unit 06/08 can contain a network of pneumaticcomponents configured to receive activation from a trigger and/oractuator 04, to send and or receive pneumatic signal(s) by means ofpneumatic linkage 12 to a pneumatic solenoid valve(s) 10. The pneumaticsolenoid valve(s) 10 can, for instance, direct compressed gas and orexhaust pneumatic pressure by means of pneumatic linkage 12 to and/orfrom the pneumatic loading and or launching components and/ormechanism(s) of the launching device 02 to operate the pneumaticcomponents and/or mechanism(s) in response to the pneumatic signal fromthe control unit 06/08. The trigger/actuator 04 may be mounted to slideand/or pivot in such a manner as to make contact with the valve(s) 06 ofthe control unit for starting and/or stopping the control unit'spneumatic output and or input sequence(s).

The control unit 06/08 may include an adjustable and/or fixed pneumatictime delay signal for completing the loading and/or launching operationof the launching device 02, typically by use of fixed, and/or adjustablepneumatic flow restricting devices 20.

The gas storage device 14, fixed and/or adjustable in volume and/orpressure, and or flow, may be used in conjunction with and/or separatelyfrom the pneumatic feedback 12 from the launching device 02 to storeand/or release gas to and/or from the control unit 06/08 in such amanner as to apply adjustable and/or fixed, momentary pneumatic pressureto the control unit 06/08 for pneumatically holding and/or releasing thevalve 06, therefore producing timing control of the launching device,and/or a means for metering the output and/or input and or exhaust ofthe gas storage device 14. The control unit 06/08 can be shaped to mountand/or assemble within the body and/or frame of the launching device 02.The control unit 06/08 can be arranged to send one or more timedpneumatic signals to initiate the loading and/or launching operation(s)of the launching device in response to the trigger 04 pull and/orrelease of the trigger 04 pull.

Compressed gas 18 may supply pneumatic pressure to the control unit06/08. The trigger/actuator 04 (which may not need to be present forfunctionality) can, for instance, be manually acted upon to depress thevalve 06 within the control unit valve body and/or housing 08.

The control unit valve(s) 06 and valve housing 08 may redirect pneumaticgas and or exhaust thru pneumatic linkage 12, to and/or from thepneumatic component(s) and/or mechanism(s) of the launching device 02 toactivate the pneumatic sequence of events that initiate the loadingand/or launching operation(s) of the launching device 02. The launchingdevice 02 may also direct pneumatic pressure and/or exhaust of pressurefrom its pneumatic component(s) and/or mechanism(s) that initiated itsloading and/or launching operation(s) back to the control unit 06/08thru the pneumatic linkage 12 for use of pneumatically activating and/ordeactivating the valve 06 position(s) within the control unit valvehousing 08.

The control unit 06/08 may be comprised to redirect pneumatic gaspressure to and/or from a pneumatic solenoid(s) 10 (which may in somecases not need be present for functionality), where the pneumaticsolenoid(s) 10 may be configured to activate the pneumatic sequence ofevents to initiate the loading and/or launching operation of thelaunching device 02 in response to a trigger 04 pull and/or release of atrigger 04 pull of the control unit.

The pneumatically timed control unit assembly 06/08 could be used invarious applications, such as military applications, the paintballindustry, the toy industry, scuba, and or pneumatic tooling industries,to name a few. The pneumatically timed control unit invention enablespneumatic timing control of a gas operated projectile launching device02, by a choice of two applications, or combination of both, one beingpneumatic feedback, or absence of feedback, to the pneumatically timedcontrol unit assembly 06/08 from the gas operated projectile launchingdevice 02 and its pneumatic component(s) and/or mechanism(s) and/or two,a gas storage device 14, possibly adjustable and/or fixed in volumeand/or pressure, both used to store and/or release gas in such a manneras to apply adjustable and/or fixed momentary pneumatic pressure and/orexhaust of pressure to the pneumatically timed control units valve 06 bypneumatically activating and/or deactivating the valve 06 positionswithin the pneumatically timed control unit's valve body and/or housing08 for loading and/or launching control of the gas operated projectilelaunching device 02.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

1. A pneumatically timed control unit assembly for a gas operatedprojected launching device comprising: a control unit having a valvemovable between at least an at rest position, a partially activatedposition and a fully activated position, the valve being urged in the atrest position; and a gas storage device operable to receive pneumaticpressure through the control unit in the at rest position from acompressed gas supply, wherein when the valve is moved to the partiallyactivated position, pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device urgesthe valve to the fully activated position, wherein, in the fullyactivated position, a launching device receives gas pressure from thegas storage device or exhaust of pneumatic pressure from the ControlUnit.
 2. The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising apneumatic solenoid for controlling gas flow to the launching device. 3.The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a meteringvalve to control the flow of gas to or from the gas storage device. 4.The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pneumaticlinkage device to fluidly connect the valve with the launching device.5. The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising anactivation mechanism for moving the valve from the at rest position tothe partially activated position.
 6. The control unit assembly of claim5, wherein the activation mechanism includes at least one of a trigger,an actuator, a pneumatic pulse generating valve, and a shuttle valve. 7.A method for launching a projectile from a projectile launching device,the method comprising: receiving a compressed gas supply to a valve of acontrol unit; delivering the compressed gas supply to at least one of acompressed gas storage device and a firing chamber of a launching devicewhen the valve is in an at rest position; activating an activationmechanism, the activation mechanism operable to activate and deactivatethe valve in the control unit; urging the valve into an activatedposition as the activation mechanism is activated to actuate the valveby delivering gas pressure from at least one of the compressed gasstorage device and the firing chamber of the launching device; anddelivering gas pressure or exhaust to or from the launching device. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein the activation mechanism is at least oneof a trigger, an actuator, a pneumatic pulse generating valve, and ashuttle valve.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising metering thegas flow to or from the compressed gas storage device with a meteringvalve.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising delivering the gaspressure to the launching device through a pneumatic solenoid.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising detecting a reduction/exhaust inpressure after the launching device has fired and allowing the valve toreset to the at rest position.
 12. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising venting gas from the control unit if the launching devicedoes not fire after the valve has been activated through a restrictiveor metering exhaust orifice.